"There are lots of women around my age in film, theatre and TV - producers, writers, directors and even some camera operators, in addition to actresses.

“We'll always have to campaign against why, for instance, older men on TV news programmes tend to be paired up with younger women. Where's Anna Ford? Is what I say. But it is changing and gradually evolving."

Ford, the BBC newsreader who once took on Martin Amis, David Dimbleby, Jonathan Aitken and Radio Four, is in her late 60s and no longer appears on our screens.

Walters is about to start work on another project, but is keeping it quiet until the contracts are signed.

However, she almost missed out on her illustrious career.

The BAFTA winner – who is proud of her working class roots - grew up in deprived area of Birmingham where she was told girls like her simply did not become actresses.

She followed her mother's dream instead of her own and started to train as a nurse, but gave it up 18 months later.

“Mum was furious and said I'd end up in the gutter. But I went ahead and joined a drama course,” she said.

"When you're passionate about something, I think you have to do what your heart -- or instinct -- tells you to do. You are who you are and everybody has their own ambitions and dreams."